Palliative Care in Florida: Comfort for Seriously Ill

Palliative care services provide comfort and support to seriously ill Florida residents at any stage of advanced illness. These services focus on managing symptoms and improving patients' overall well-being, offering a more comfortable experience during treatment. The goal is to help individuals live with comfort and dignity.

A team of providers delivers palliative care. This team includes a physician specializing in pain and symptom management, a nurse specialist who coordinates daily care and communicates with patients and families, a social worker who assists with lifestyle changes, and a chaplain who offers spiritual and emotional support.

Palliative care works alongside a patient's primary doctor. Benefits include alleviating uncomfortable symptoms, assisting with practical needs, coordinating care across settings, and providing emotional support. The team guides patients and families in determining goals of care and interpreting treatment options.